In many ways, a democracy is designed to give the majority of people what they want, but the Bible says this may not be what the people need. The book of 1 Samuel reminds us, with the appointment of King Saul, sometimes the worst thing God can do is give us what we ask for.

“Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for.” (1 Samuel 12:13)

Leadership is on everyone’s lips in the run-up to the US election and there’s great concern about what’s on offer. Whatever happens, we need to remember God sovereignly works through our leaders – with them or in spite of them, and Christians are instructed to pray for those in authority, whether or not we support them (those we don’t support need our prayers even more).

However, when a nation appoints a leader who refuses to respect God’s authority, it has serious consequences. As 19th Century politician, Lord Acton said:

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely!”

In the 1980’s movie, Brewster’s Millions, Richard Pryor played the part of a wealthy individual who poured millions of dollars into a political campaign. No candidate was worthy of office, so he persuaded the majority to vote for “None of the Above!”

I’m not advocating people side step their responsibility in the upcoming election. The freedom to vote has been fought for – and died for, but there seems to be a real struggle to tick the right box. It suggests people are trying to decide which leader they dislike the least, not for the first time.

So if you’re feeling hopeless and helpless, concerned that God is about to give the people of America what they want, remember: sometimes it takes a Saul to prepare the way for a David, a man after God’s own heart.

We may not know what the future holds but we know who holds the future!​